Nick Griggs (Candour Track Club) secured a superb ninth-place finish in the final of a stacked men’s 3000m at the World Indoor Championships in Poland this evening, with teammate Andrew Coscoran (Star of the Sea AC) following him home in thirteenth place (March 21st).

Both Irish athletes raced conservatively over the opening 1000m of a tactical race, with Griggs shadowing eventual winner Josh Kerr until the midway point, before an injection of pace saw the field stretch out.

Griggs held on bravely, picking off several athletes to finish just over three seconds adrift of the leaders in a time of 7:39.03 (9th), with Andrew Coscoran just behind in 7:43.89 (13th).

Speaking after the race, Griggs said: “Ninth in the world is not too bad, but I’m a bit disappointed. I gave it all I had on the day, and it was a quality race, but it’s frustrating because I feel it’s only a solid run. I’m not satisfied, but if your mediocre day is ninth in the world, I think that’s something to build on.”

Griggs continued: “You just have to take it as a learning experience, and I’m excited to go away and build on it for the outdoor season. It’s been a great indoor season for me overall, and I’m in a much better position than I was this time last year. I’ve lots to look forward to later in the year.”

The men’s 3000m medals went to Josh Kerr (GBR) in 7:35.56, Cole Hocker (USA) in 7:35.70, and Yann Schrub (FRA) in 7:35.71.

Lauren Roy (Fast Twitch AC) signed off her time in Poland with a 7.23 (6th) in the women’s 60m semi-final, rounding out a hugely positive championship appearance for the Fast Twitch AC athlete, who brings her breakthrough indoor season to a fitting close.

Spearheading the Irish team on the third and final day of these championships will be Kate O’Connor (Dundalk St. Gerard’s AC). O’Connor won silver in the women’s pentathlon last year, making history by claiming Ireland’s first medal at the event since 2006. The 25-year-old went on to win silver in the heptathlon at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo last September and will have her sights set on continuing her remarkable global medal-winning run tomorrow evening. The Dundalk athlete will get underway in the 60m hurdles from 9:05am.

O’Connor will be joined on the final day by Sarah Lavin (Emerald AC), who is a consistent championship performer and finished fifth in the final of her event, the women’s 60m hurdles, at these championships in Glasgow two years ago. The Limerick woman, who has clocked a best of 7.98 seconds this season, will look to deliver another strong performance when it matters most. All three rounds of her event take place on Sunday, with Lavin making her opening appearance in the heats at 11:55am.

Team Ireland Results Summary

Day Two – Saturday March 21st

• Lauren Roy – Women’s 60m – Heat 2/7 – 7.25 q (4th)
• Ciara Neville – Women’s 60m – Heat 5/7 – 7.31 (4th, does not advance)
• Maeve O’Neill – Women’s 800m – SF 1/3 – 2:02.46 (6th, does not advance)
• Mark English – Men’s 800m – SF 1/3 – 1:46.70 (4th, does not advance)
• Andrew Coscoran – Men’s 3000m – Final – 7:43.89 (13th)
• Nick Griggs – Men’s 3000m – Final – 7:39.03 (9th)
• Lauren Roy – Women’s 60m – SF 3/3 – 7.23 (6^th, does not advance)

Team Ireland Schedule: Irish Time (Local time in brackets)

Morning Session – Sunday March 22nd

• Kate O’Connor – Women’s Pentathlon – 60m Hurdles – 09:05 (10:05)
• Kate O’Connor – Women’s Pentathlon – High Jump – 09:43 (10:43)
• Sarah Lavin – Women’s 60m Hurdles – Heats – 11:55 (12:55)
• Kate O’Connor – Women’s Pentathlon – Shot Put – 12:21 (13:21)

Evening Session – Sunday March 22nd

• Kate O’Connor – Women’s Pentathlon – Long Jump – 16:40 (17:40)
• Sarah Lavin – Women’s 60m Hurdles – SF – 17:51 (18:51) *
• Kate O’Connor – Women’s Pentathlon – 800m – 19:03 (20:03)
• Sarah Lavin – Women’s 60m Hurdles – Final – 19:13 (20:13) *

*Subject to advancing

Where to watch

Virgin Media TV is bringing you live coverage across all three days. See Virgin Media listings for details.

• Results are HERE
• Interviews available on Athletics Ireland social media channels
• Day 2 Morning Session: https://www.athleticsireland.ie/roy-advances-to-60m-semi-final-as-english-misses-out-on-800m-final-place-at-world-indoors/